Outline

  • Introduction
  • Preparedness
  • Key Marine Sectors
  • Data Foundation
  • The Way Forward

INTRODUCTION

What is Marine Spatial Planning?

It’s a public process for organizing the use of our oceans to achieve our goals. Think of it as “urban planning for the sea.”

At its core, it involves: ::: incremental * Analyzing the current and future uses of marine space. * Allocating areas for specific activities (e.g., fishing, conservation, energy). * Balancing ecological, economic, and social objectives.

Goals of MSP

The core objectives of Marine Spatial Planning are to:

  • Reduce conflicts among users (e.g., fishing vs. shipping).
  • Conserve vital ecosystems and biodiversity.
  • Promote sustainable economic development (the “Blue Economy”).
  • Provide clarity and predictability for new investments.
  • Build resilience and adapt to climate change.

PREPAREDNESS FOR MSP

Tanzania’s Preparedness for MSP

We are building on a strong foundation of existing work. Key documents and processes are already in place to guide our efforts.

MSP Scoping

Initial reports and national guidelines provide the strategic framework for MSP.

MSP Guidelines

Initial reports and national guidelines provide the strategic framework for MSP.

Ecological & Human Use Atlas

Comprehensive mapping of marine ecosystems and economic activities.

Stakeholder Engagement

A history of communication and engagement with key marine sectors and communities.

Sectors

Main Marine Sectors

Key sectors operating in Tanzania’s marine space.

  • Fisheries & Aquaculture
  • Marine & Coastal Tourism
  • Maritime Transport & Ports
  • Energy (Oil & Gas)
  • Conservation (Habitats, MPAs)
  • Submarine Cables

Fisheries & Aquaculture

Current and potential zones for fishing grounds.

Potential zones for seaweed and fish farming.

Why are Fisheries & Aquaculture Critical for MSP?

The Economic & Social Backbone of Coastal Tanzania

  • Livelihoods: The sector is a cornerstone of the coastal economy, directly employing hundreds of thousands and supporting the livelihoods of millions.
  • Food Security: Fish provides a critical source of protein for a significant portion of Tanzania’s population.
  • Economic Engine: A major contributor to the national GDP through local markets and export earnings.
  • Women’s Empowerment: Seaweed farming, in particular, is a vital economic activity for women in coastal communities, especially in Zanzibar.

Fisheries in the MSP Context

Balancing Conflicts & Seizing Opportunities

  • Managing User Conflicts: MSP helps resolve spatial competition between fisheries and other sectors like tourism, maritime transport, and energy exploration.
  • Sustaining Resources: By identifying and protecting critical habitats (e.g., spawning grounds, nurseries), MSP ensures the long-term viability of fish stocks.
  • Promoting Sustainable Growth: MSP can identify suitable, low-conflict zones for aquaculture expansion, minimizing environmental impacts and maximizing economic potential.
  • Balancing Needs: Planning must accommodate the different needs of small-scale artisanal fishers and larger commercial operations.

Marine & Coastal Tourism

Iconic destinations like Zanzibar and Mafia Island are global attractions.

Activities range from diving and snorkeling to cultural heritage tours.

Tourism: A Pillar of the Blue Economy

Driving Growth and Showcasing Natural Heritage

  • Economic Powerhouse: A primary source of foreign exchange and a significant contributor to Tanzania’s GDP.
  • Job Creation: Supports a vast network of formal and informal employment in hospitality, transport, and tour guiding.
  • Global Showcase: Highlights Tanzania’s world-class natural assets, from the coral reefs of Mafia Island to the historic Stone Town in Zanzibar.
  • Investment Magnet: Attracts significant local and international investment in coastal infrastructure.

Tourism in the MSP Context

Ensuring Sustainability and Minimizing Conflict

  • Protecting the Attraction: MSP is essential to protect the very assets tourism depends on—pristine beaches, healthy coral reefs, and abundant marine life.
  • Reducing Sectoral Conflicts: Helps manage competition for space between tourism activities (e.g., diving, boating) and other uses like fishing and shipping.
  • Guiding Development: Provides a framework for siting tourism infrastructure (hotels, jetties) to minimize environmental and social impacts.
  • Enhancing Visitor Experience: By zoning activities, MSP can ensure high-quality, safe, and sustainable tourism experiences.

Maritime Transport & Ports

Major ports like Dar es Salaam, Tanga, and Mtwara are vital economic lifelines.

Key shipping routes connect Tanzania to regional and global markets.

A Gateway to Global Trade

Connecting Tanzania to the World

  • Economic Lifeline: The primary conduit for over 90% of Tanzania’s international trade.
  • Strategic Hub: Ports like Dar es Salaam serve as crucial gateways for landlocked neighboring countries (e.g., Zambia, DRC, Rwanda).
  • Infrastructure Development: Drives major investment in port modernization, logistics, and related infrastructure.
  • Employment: A significant source of direct and indirect jobs in major coastal cities.

Transport in the MSP Context

Navigating Crowded Waters Safely and Efficiently

  • Deconflicting Sea-lanes: MSP helps establish clear shipping lanes to minimize collisions and reduce conflict with fishing, tourism, and conservation areas.
  • Sustainable Port Expansion: Guides the strategic development of ports to avoid damaging sensitive habitats like mangroves and coral reefs.
  • Managing Pollution Risk: Helps identify high-risk areas and plan for pollution prevention and emergency response (e.g., oil spills, ballast water).
  • Improving Efficiency: Creates predictability for the shipping industry, encouraging investment and improving logistical efficiency.

Energy (Oil & Gas Exploration)

Source: TPDC and company reports.

Energy: Powering National Development

Harnessing Offshore Resources for Growth

  • Significant Economic Potential: Offshore gas reserves represent a massive potential revenue stream and a cornerstone of the national budget.
  • Energy Security: Developing domestic gas can reduce reliance on imported fuels and provide power for national industrialization.
  • Foreign Direct Investment: The sector attracts billions of dollars in investment, driving technological development and infrastructure.
  • Catalyst for Growth: Can spur development in related sectors like petrochemicals, manufacturing, and specialized logistics.

Energy in the MSP Context

Balancing Development with Environmental Stewardship

  • High Potential for Conflict: Exploration and production activities can conflict with fishing grounds, shipping lanes, and sensitive ecosystems.
  • Managing Environmental Risk: MSP is crucial for identifying and mitigating risks associated with seismic surveys, drilling, and potential spills.
  • Providing Investment Certainty: A clear spatial plan provides predictability for energy companies, streamlining approvals and reducing investment risk.
  • Strategic Siting: MSP helps identify areas for exploration that minimize conflict and environmental impact, ensuring a more sustainable development pathway.

Conservation (Marine Protected Areas, Critical Habitats)

Protecting critical habitats like coral reefs is fundamental.

Mangrove forests provide vital ecosystem services and coastal protection.

The Foundation of the Blue Economy

Protecting Tanzania’s Natural Capital

  • Biodiversity Hotspot: Tanzania’s waters host globally significant biodiversity, including coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds.
  • Ecosystem Services: These habitats provide essential services like coastal protection from storms, carbon sequestration, and water purification.
  • Supporting Other Sectors: Healthy ecosystems are the bedrock for sustainable fisheries and tourism.
  • Cultural Heritage: Marine areas hold deep cultural and spiritual value for coastal communities.

Conservation in the MSP Context

A Strategic Approach to Protection

  • Identifying Priorities: MSP uses the best available science to identify and map critical habitats and areas of ecological significance.
  • Strengthening Protection: It provides a framework for establishing and managing an effective, ecologically connected network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
  • Balancing Use and Protection: MSP helps to zone activities, directing development away from sensitive areas and ensuring that use is compatible with conservation goals.
  • Building Climate Resilience: Protecting key habitats like mangroves and coral reefs enhances the resilience of the coast to climate change impacts.

Submarine Cables

Submarine cables are the backbone of global communication.

Landing stations connect Tanzania to the global internet.

Data

Our State of Spatial Data

  • What Data Do We Have? (e.g., Vessel tracking, habitat maps, administrative boundaries).
  • Data Gaps & Limitations: What are the key uncertainties? Where do we need more information from you?
  • Our Integration Process: How we are bringing this diverse information together for analysis.

Our State of Spatial Data

Here is a summary of the key spatial data layers we have compiled, along with a preliminary ranking of their importance to different values.

Assessment based on expert opinion and preliminary analysis.

The Way Forward: Your Role

The success of Marine Spatial Planning in Tanzania depends on your expertise and collaboration.

Our goal today is to work together. Let’s focus our discussion on these key questions:

  1. Data Review: What are the strengths and weaknesses of our current spatial data? What’s missing?
  2. Issue Identification: What are the most critical conflicts or challenges we haven’t captured?
  3. Opportunities: Where are the biggest opportunities for win-win solutions and collaboration?

SCAN to Reach US!

Stephen Holness

Masumbuko Semba

Thank You

What is the primary goal of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP)?

  • To increase offshore oil and gas drilling without restrictions
  • To balance ecological, economic, and social objectives in marine areas
  • To restrict all fishing activities in Tanzanian waters

Which of the following is a key stakeholder in MSP in Tanzania?

  • Only the Tanzanian government
  • Government agencies, local fishing communities, and conservation groups
  • Foreign shipping companies only

What is a major challenge in implementing MSP in Tanzania?

  • Conflicting interests between sectors
  • Lack of ocean resources to manage
  • Too few government regulations